A zinnia is a bright, cheerful flower that blooms in gardens from summer through fall. Zinnias come in almost every color you can imagine: red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white, and even green. Their petals often form neat circles around a darker center, like colorful daisies.

Gardeners love zinnias because they're easy to grow from seeds and keep blooming for months, even in hot weather. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making gardens come alive with movement and color. You can find zinnias as small as a quarter or as big as a dinner plate, depending on the variety.

Zinnias originally grew wild in Mexico and Central America, but now they brighten gardens around the world. If you plant zinnia seeds in spring, you'll have flowers by midsummer, and they'll keep blooming until the first frost kills them in autumn.